Health insurance
45 health insurance funds have increased additional contributions
45 health insurance funds increased the additional contribution on January 1st. Each fund can determine the additional contribution itself. photo
© Karl-Josef Hildenbrand/dpa
Insured people have had to pay more for almost half of the statutory health insurance companies since the beginning of the year. 45 health insurance companies increased the additional contribution.
Around half of the statutory health insurance companies increased their contributions at the beginning of the year. As the Federal Ministry of Health in Berlin announced, 45 health insurance companies increased the amount on January 1st Additional contribution, 45 health insurance companies left it unchanged, four reduced it at the turn of the year.
Each fund can determine the additional contribution itself. According to the ministry, it is on average 1.7 percent, after 1.6 percent in the previous year. The general contribution rate is 14.6 percent and is legally fixed at this level.
According to preliminary figures, which the ministry also published, the statutory funds spent 306.2 billion euros last year. That was 14.4 billion or 5 percent more than in the previous year. The expenses were offset by income of 304.4 billion euros.
The reasons for the increase in spending
The ministry cited legally required payments of 2.5 billion euros from the health insurance funds’ financial reserves to the health fund, the health insurance money collection and distribution point, to stabilize contributions as the reasons for the increase in spending.
In addition, spending on hospital treatment increased by 6.1 billion euros. There were also significant increases in other service areas, such as vaccinations, home care or sick pay. According to the information, the final financial results for 2023 will not be available until mid-June.